Wall bed



April 19, 1938. THUM 2,114,581

WALL BED Filed'Dec. 10, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet l llvhwran M6771? if) ThuApril 19, 1938., M, M 2,114,581

WALL BED Filed Dec. 10, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 v. 7' .7 1/ 8' 77" 2b 3 9c 56 air m April 19,1938. M THUM I 2,114,581

WALL BED Filed Dec. 10, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Apr. 19, 1938UNITED STATES zsnssi I PATENT QFFEQE 15 Claims.

The present invention relates to what is commonly known as wall beds,being that type of bed structure in which the bed frame, between periodsof use, is swung upwardly to vertical position within a standard orsupporting frame, the latter standing in an upright position at alltimes.

It is a well known disadvantage in the above type of beds that they arecommonly so weighty as to defeat ready transfer from place to place in ahouse or apartment and so heavy with counter weights and other featuresas to make transportation a diflicult and costly matter.

The present invention has for its primary purpose the provision of a bedstructure of the above general type which eliminates the use ofcounteriweights and in fact all weighty connections and in which theparts mutually contribute to their necessary bracing and interconnectionso that the structure as a whole may be transported without excessivecost, may be moved with considerable ease and freedom from place toplace in a room, and may be so moved without strain upon the connectedparts in either the open or closed positions.

- These and other objects of the present invention will be betterunderstood and more thoroughly appreciated from the followingdescription in detail of the best mode so far devised for carrying theinvention into practical effect, reference being made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, andwherein,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the complete bed, the parts being inclosed position.

Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof.

Figure 3 is a side elevation with the parts in open position.

Figure 4 is a central vertical longitudinal sectional view of the partsin the open position.

Figure 5 is a front elevation of the bed with the base frame removed.

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section through the partsin closed position, adjacent to one of the link braces.

Figure 7 is a similar view, the base frame being lowered to openposition.

Figure 8 is another similar view with the bed bottom or mattress framelowered to open position.

Figure 9 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal section showing, in plan,the parts of Figures 6 to 8 inclusive.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary side view of portions of the bed bottom andbase frame in the open positions, certain parts being broken away and insection, and

Figure 11 is a detail horizontal section through the forward portion ofthe bed frame on line i i-l i of Figure 4.

Referring now to these figures, and as particularly seen by a comparisonof Figures 1 and 3, my improved wall bed consists essentially of a bedstandard or supporting back frame A, a bed bottom or mattress frame Band a base or cover frame C of which, in the use of the apparatus, it isnecessary to first lower the base or cover frame, since in the uprightclosed position of the parts, it is this latter frame which preventslowering of the bed bottom or mattress frame. Hence, as long as the baseor cover frame is latched in the upright or closed position, the wallbed as a whole may be readily moved from place to place in a room orwherever it is in use.

Furthermore, when, after lowering of the base or cover frame, loweringof the bed bottom or mattress frame is initiated, means are provided bywhich a rigid brace is formed between the then horizontal cover frame Cand the upright supporting frame A which thereafter, and until the bedbottom B is again raised to vertical position, acts as an effectivebrace to prevent any forwardly tilting tendency of the supporting frame,especially during the further downward swinging movement of the bedbottom. With such bracing means, it is preferable to utilizecounterbalancing springs in order to make for easy raising and loweringof the bed bottom. Moreover, when the bed bottom is completely loweredto horizontal position, means are provided which act to relativelyengage as between the bed bottom and the cover frame, upon which in thisposition the bed bottom rests so that these parts will be relativelyimmovable in a horizontal direction and, considering that the coverframe is, in this position, rigidly braced to the supporting frame, itis obvious the entire structure may be shifted in this, the openposition of the parts Without any danger of displacement angularlyrelative to one another and without strain upon any of the parts.

In furtherance of the foregoing, it will be seen by reference to Figures1 to 4, inclusive, that the supporting frame or bed standard A hasupright side members l5 and 16 whose upper portions are rigidly spacedand connected by upper and intermediate cross rails ii and i8 extendinghorizontally between the rear edges of the sides 15 and I6. The lowerportions of the sides i5 and [6 are enlarged by forwardly extendingportions i9 and 20, respectively, and the lower edges of these enlargedportions are securely fastened in connection with the side rails 2! and22 of a lower platform or base which also includes front and rear crossrails 23 and 24 extending horizontally between and rigidly connectingthe side rails 2| and 22, as best seen in Figure 4.

Through the forwardly extended lower portions I9 and 20 of the sides ofthe supporting frame A are mounted the outer ends of a pair of axiallyaligned pivot bars 25, which pass inwardly of the supporting frame forthe purpose of hinging the vertically swinging bed frame B.

The bed frame B has upright sides 25, and these sides are provided withthickened portions 21 along the lower edges thereof to form innerlongitudinal shoulders which, with the cross slats 28 set at their endsinto portions 22', form the supporting surface for the spring mattressto be hereinafter described. It is through these portions 21 adjacent tothe rear ends of the frame sides that the pivot or hinge bars 25 extendas will be seen in Figure 9 wherein it will be noted the inner ends ofthe bars further project through the outstanding portions of angularbrackets 2Q securedto the inner forward edge of the rearmost cross slat28.

At the forward end of the sides 26, the bed frame has an end board 30and, adjoining this end board, has a bottom board 3! covering the bottomof the frame and forming, with the sides 25 and 26' andthe end board 36,a box at the outer end of the frame and around that portion of thebottom 'of the frame which is exposed to view when the parts are in theclosed position of Figure 1.

Referring now to Figures 4 and 7 to 9, inclusive, it will be seen thatthe base or cover frame C is of rectangular shape and is hinged at itsinner cross member 32 by hinges 33to the forward cross rail 23 of thestandard base so that in the upright closed position of the parts, thisframe stands upright between the lower edges of the bed frame sides 25and 26, with its outer cross member 34 fitting under the inneredge ofthe bottom board 3| of the bed frame. Thus, since the hinges 33 of thisbase frame are substantially below the pivot bars 25, any loweringmovement of the bed frame B on the pivot bars 25 will be prevented untilthe base frame C has been lowered on its hinges 33.

The outer cross member of base frame C carries a foot rail 34 havingdepending feet 35 to rest upon the floor and having upstanding studs 35which, when the bed frame B is lowered, extend into sockets aim theforward portion of the bot-- tom board 3| and thus securely hold the bedframe and base frame against relative horizontal movements in the openposition as seen in Figures 4 and 10.

It will also be observed from Figures 7 to 9, inclusive, that adjacentto its opposite sides and near its inner hinged end, the base frame C,which may be covered by any suitable flexible or ornamental panel 38 toin turn. cover the slatted portion of the bottom of the bed frame B inthe closed position (Figure 1), has slotted brackets 39 in the slotsofwhich the outer ends of a pair of links 40' are movable. Each of theselinks is pivotally connected at its opposite endat ii to a link 42 andprovided adjacent to its pivot with an upwardly opening recess 43. Thepivot M is between the ends of link 42, and this link has at its forwardend an angular extension 44 which enters the recess 43 when the links 45and 42 are in line forming a rigid brace between the base frame C in itslowered position and the standard or supporting frame A to the pivotbars 25 of which the opposite end of link 42 is swingingly connected.Adjacent to its latter end, each link 42 has an enlarged portion 45which, when the bed frame B is raised to vertical position, is engagedby the forward edge of the bracket 29 to thus elevate link 42suificiently to move extension 44 upwardly out of recess 43, breakingthe alignment of the links from the braced position shown in Figure 8 tothe-position. shown-in Figure 7 whereupon the base or cover frame C maybe raised to closed position as shown in Figure 6, the links 481 and 42folding upon one another between the two frames.

To the links 49 of the base frame, the forward ends of springs 48 areanchored by shackles 41, the rear ends of these springs being connectedto brackets 43 secured to the rear edge of the rearmost bed bottom slat23 so that the springs act to counterbalance the Weight of the bed framein raising and lowering the latter. It is also obvious that when thebase or cover frame C has been lowered to open position, initialmovement of the bed frame in its downward swinging movement acts,through the springs 46, to pull the links 40 and 42 into effectivealignment as be seen by a comparison of Figures '7 and 8 so thatthereafter, and'until the bed frame is again raised to the verticalposition, the links form effective bracers between the supporting frameA and the base or cover frame C.

Since in the open position the bed frame B cannot by reason ofconnections 36, 3'! shift with respect to the base frame C and in thisposition the links 48 and 42 form a rigid brace, the wall bed as a wholemay be shifted along thefloor or other support without strain, and sincethe rigid brace between the standard A and the lowered base frame Cthrough the said links is completed as soon as downward movement of thebed frame B is started, it is obvious that in the further downwardmovement of the bed frame onto the lowered cover frame C, the standardor supporting frame A will be rigidly braced against any tendency tofall or overturn forwardly withthe weight of the bed frame. This permitsof dispensing with heavy unwieldy counterweights ordinarily employed forthis purpose.

The mattress within the bed frame B, according to the invention, asplainly seen in Figure 4, preferably comprises a lower covered springsection 49 of a length to extend only the length of the bed frame, andan upper relatively thin padded section 58 extended at its rear endsubstantially beyond the rear end of the spring section to extend acrossthe space between the rear end of the bed frame in lowered position andthe intermediate cross rail or back board l8 of the supporting frame A.The extension 5| carries a terminal cross bar 52 which seats in springhooks 53 attached to the forward or inner face of the back board 18 tothus support the mattress extension 5| in such manner that the mattressmay be removed when desirable, and so the extension 5! may fold withrespect to the rear end of the mattress when the bed frame is shifted tovertical position.

To prevent the mattress from slipping rearwardly and downwardly as thebed frame is raised, the forward lower edge of the spring section 49carries a cross rail 54 which seats at its ends against the cut awayforward ends 55 of the lower portions 2? of the sides of the bed frameto thus hold the mattress and at the same time permit of its bodilyremoval when desired.

Thus in the manner fully outlined, the invention provides an arrangementwell adapted to the carrying out of the objects first above stated, aswell as a wall bed which may be easily manipulated between opened andclosed positions, which will present a sightly appearance in eitherposition, which promotes comfort and convenience, and which avoids allweighty controls and accessories commonly necessary with beds of thischaracter.

It is furthermore plain that when the two movable sections B and C areraised into the standard or supporting frame A, virtually a completecabinet is formed and all bedding is completely covered and hidden fromview.

The end rail 34 of the base or cover frame preferably has an outstandingpin 56 which projects upwardly in the closed position for engagement bya swinging latch 51 carried by the inner edge of the bottom board 3| ofthe bed frame to thus lock the base frame against accidental loweringmovement.

It is to be observed that the bracing means, including the links or arms40, 42, are pivotally connected at one end upon the aligned pivot bars25 which form the hinge between the bed frame and the supporting frameand thus the slots of brackets 39 give the brace links 40, 42 atopposite sides of the apparatus some measure of independent play andpermit some measure of independent adjustability of the base framerelative tothe supporting frame, so as to accommodate the same veryreadily to any slight inequalities in a supporting surface upon whichthe apparatus stands. For instance, one side of the apparatus may reston the floor and the other side on a rug or floor mat and, since suchinstances cannot well be avoided in practical use, it is important thatthey be provided for.

What is claimed is:

1. In a wall bed, an upright supporting frame, an upwardly folding bedframe hingedly connected to the supporting frame to swing upwardly intothe same, a base frame also hingedly connected to the supporting frameto swing upwardly and in vertical position covering a major portion ofthe bottom of the bed frame, and means controlled by the bed framerigidly bracing the base frame and supporting frame in rightangularrelationship when the former is in horizontal position, said means beingin effective position during the major portion of the raising andlowering movements of the bed frame to and from the supporting frame.

2. In a wall bed, an upright supporting frame, an upwardly folding bedframe hingedly connected to the supporting frame to swing upwardly intothe same, a base frame also hingedly connected to the supporting frameto swing upwardly and in vertical position covering a major portion ofthe bottom of the bed frame, means rigidly bracing the base frame andsupporting frame in rightangular relationship when the former is inhorizontal position, and during the major portions of the raising andlowering movements of the bed frame to and from the supporting frame,cooperating means carried by the bed frame and bracing means forshifting the latter to inactive position when the bed frame is inupright position within the supporting frame, and springs extendingbetween said bracing means and portions of the bed frame for shiftingsaid bracing means into active position upon initial downward swingingmovement of the bed frame and for counterbalancing the bed frame in itsupwardly and downwardly swinging movements.

3. In a wall bed, an upright supporting frame having a rear crossmember, a bed frame hinged at one end in connection with the supportingframe and foldable vertically into the said frame, a mattress disposedwithin the bed frame and having a, foldable extension projecting beyondthe hinged end of said frame and normally in detachable engagement withthe rear cross member of the supporting frame, supporting rails for saidmattress carried within the bed frame and cut away at their endsadjacent the outer end of the bed frame to form between said cutawayends and the outer end of the bed frame side pockets, and a cross barcarried by the outer end of the mattress, the ends of which are free todrop into the said pockets to hold the mattress against sl ding movementwhen the bed frame is shifted into the supporting frame.

4. In a wall bed, the combination of an upright supporting frame, a bedframe hinged to the supporting frame to fold upwardly therein, a baseframe also hinged to the supporting frame to fold upwardly against thefolded bed frame and forming a support for the bed frame when the latteris in lowered position, and means forming a, rigid brace between thesupporting frame and the base frame in the lowered position of thelatter, said means being movable into and out of effective position bymovements of the bed frame to and from vertical position in thesupporting frame.

5. In a wall bed, the combination of an upright supporting frame, a bedframe hinged thereto to fold upwardly therein, a base frame also hingedto the supporting frame, means forming a rigid brace between thesupporting frame and the base frame in the lowered position of thelatter, including pivoted links shiftable into and out of effectiveposition by movements of the bed frame to and from vertical foldedposition, and counterbalancing springs attached to the bed frame andanchored in connection with said brace links.

6. In a wall bed, the combination of an upright supporting frame, a bedframe hinged to fold upwardly therein, and a base frame hinged to thesupporting frame to fold upwardly along the bed frame and forming in itsupright folded position a cover for the major portion of the bottom ofthe bed frame, said base frame serving in its lowered position as asupport for the bed frame when the latter is lowered and meansautomatically actuated and controlled by the bed frame for locking thebase frame in lowered position to the supporting frame, said means beingeffective when the bed frame is in lowered position and also during themajor portions of the raising and lowering movements of the bed frame.

7. In a wall bed, the combination of a supporting upright, a bed framehinged to the upright to swing between vertical and horizontalpositions, and a base frame hinged to the upright to swing betweenvertical and horizontal positions, folding braces connecting the base.frame and the upright to hold the base frame in lowered horizontalposition and means in connection with the bed frame to shift said bracesinto and out of effective position respectively during downward andupward swinging movements of the bed frame.

8. In a wall bed, the combination of a supporting upright, a bed framehinged to the upright to swing between vertical and horizontalpositions, a base frame hinged to the upright to swing between verticaland horizontal positions, and folding braces between the base frame andthe'upright to rigidly connect these parts when 1 in bracing positionwith the base frame in lowered position, means carried by the bed frameto throw said braces into effective position upon initial downwardmovement of the bed frame, and to throw the braces into inactiveposition during the last part of the upward closing movement of the bedframe, said base frame having means engaging the bed frame in thevertical folded position of the parts to prevent accidental loweringmovement of the latter.

9. In a wall bed, the combination of a supporting upright, a bed framehingedly connected to the upright to swing between vertical andhorizontal positions, and a base frame hinged to the supporting uprightto swing between vertical and horizontal positions and in its verticalposition serving as a cover for the bed frame in the vertical positionof the latter, means foldable between the base frame and supportingframe and operable when in active position in the horizontal position ofthe base frame to effectively brace and prevent tilting movemen 5 cf thesupporting frame during swinging of the frame, and means in connectionwith the bed frame to automatically control said bracing means includingspring means to counterbalance swinging movements of the bed frame.

10. In a wall bed, a rigid upright section, a vertically swingingsection in connection with said rigid section and forming a mattressholding bed frame, and a second vertically swinging section inconnection with said upright section, having means effective in itsvertical position to cover and control movement of the bed frame andother means effective in its horizontal position and automaticallycontrolled by movements of the bed frame to and from vertical positionto brace and prevent tilting movement of the upright section.

11. In combination, a bed standard, a bed frame pivoted to said standardto swing between vertical and horizontal positions, a base frame pivotedto said standard to swing between horizontal and vertical positionsindependent of the bed frame and arranged when in the vertical positionto hold the bed frame against swinging movement and when in horizontalposition to serve as a support for the bed frame, and pivoted bracelinks connecting the base frame with the standard and when alignedserving to lock the base frame and standard in substantiallyrightangular relationship whereby the former acts as a rigid brace forthe latter, said bed frame having means to shift said brace links intoand out of effective aligned positions respectively at the start of itsdownward swinging movement and the finish of its upward swingingmovement.

12. In combination, a bed standard, a bed frame pivoted to said standardto swing between vertical and horizontal positions, a base frame pivotedto said standard to swing between horizontal and vertical positionsindependent of the bed frame and arranged when in the vertical positionto hold the bed frame against swinging movement and when in horizontalposition to serve as a support for the bed frame, and pivoted bracelinks connecting the base frame with the standard and when alignedserving to lock the base frame and standard in substantiallyrightangular relationship whereby the former acts as a rigid brace forthe latter, said bed frame having means effective as the bed frameswings to vertical position to engage and disalign the brace links, andcounterbalancing springs for the bed frame, said springs being connectedto said brace links to shift the latter into aligned position at thestart of downward swinging movement of the.

bed frame. 7

13. In a wall bed, the combination of a supporting upright frame, a baseframe hinged thereto for movement between horizontal and verticalpositions, a bed frame between the supporting and base frames, meansforming pivots with the supporting frame upon which the bed frame swingsbetween horizontal and vertical positions, and folding braces betweenthe supporting frame and the base frame controlled as to their movementinto and out of effective position by movement of the bed frame, thebase frame having slotted brackets in which the respective ends of thebraces have limited movement whereby to adjust themselves tov anyunevenness of the base frame.

14. In a wall bed, the combination of a supporting upright frame, a baseframe hinged thereto for movement between horizontal and verticalpositions, a bed frame between the supporting and base frames, meansforming pivots with the supporting frame upon which the bed frame swingsbetween. horizontal and vertical positions, folding braces between thesupporting frame and the base frame controlled as to their movementintoand out of effective position by movement of the bed frame, said bracesbeing movably connected at one end to the pivot forming members of thesupporting frame, and slotted brackets carried by the base frame and inwhich the other ends of the braces have limited movement.

15. In a wall bed, structure of the character set forth, an uprightsupporting frame, a base frame hingedly connected to the supportingframe to swing downwardly to a lower horizontal position and besupported on the floor at the outer end, a bed frame pivotally connectedadjacent its lower end within the lower portion of the supporting frameto swing downwardly upon the base frame when the latter is in ahorizontal position, and spring control means for the bed frameincluding .a folding brace pivotally connected to the supporting frameand to the base frame and foldable when the base frame is swung upwardlyand arranged to form a rigid straight brace when the base frame is in ahorizontal position, and a spring connected at one end with the foldingbrace and at the other end to the bed frame and arranged to exert adownward pull on said brace when the spring is placed under tension bythe downward swinging of the bed frame whereby downward pressure isexerted on both the base frame and the supporting frame thereby bringingthe base frame and the supporting frame into rigid relation to eachother i in the operation of the control means, the entire weight of thebed frame resting upon its axis during downward movement thereof and theupright supporting frame being prevented from tipping forwardly.

MARTIN THUM.

